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Can Fig Worms Survive In The Digestive Tract After Ingesting Figs?

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Posted on Tue, 26 Dec 2023
Question: Can the tiny half-inch clear fig worms that live in figs harm humans if they eat a fig that has them? The reason I ask is that I have an enormous fig tree in my yard and as the fruit ripens the wasps come to eat it and enter the bottom of the fruit to lay their eggs inside, I assume. I believe I must have ingested some of these when I ate a fresh fig or two before I noticed the wasps swarming around the tree high up. Since that time, I felt a bit strange. I feel indentations the size of dimes all around on the skin of my head. Can these insects survive inside a human host? Is it really possible, or am I imagining all this? If so, what could it be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:

NO!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The stomach is very acidic with a PH of about 2. There is no way such a worm would survive through the digestive tract. It is a categorical no.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (14 hours later)
But what if the clear worms attached themselves to the persons throat? Is there a way they could get into their system bypassing the stomach?
I did feel a mild itching sensation about a minute or two after eating the suspect figs.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:

NO!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

This is not possible. Barely 2minutes after consuming points to a disturbing thought and fear as opposed to something much related to it. Be calm, relaxed and reassured there is nothing going on.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Can Fig Worms Survive In The Digestive Tract After Ingesting Figs?

Brief Answer: NO! Detailed Answer: Hi, The stomach is very acidic with a PH of about 2. There is no way such a worm would survive through the digestive tract. It is a categorical no. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.